Cats

Hi Puzzlers,

This week we pay tribute to the cat. More than 100 million American homes have a cat, making them the most popular pet in the United States. WOW! What a surprise! I thought dogs would have come in first, being mans’ “best friend” and all. Interestingly, these independent creatures have only been domesticated for the last 4000 years, but their lineage has been on the planet for 50 million years.

Miacis were small “weasel- like” animals that roamed the earth 50 million years ago. Bears, dogs, cats, raccoons and many other mammals are thought to be descendants of this prehistoric cat-like creature.

Evidence suggests African wildcats were being domesticated as early as 3500 B.C., by the Egyptians. Quickly these cats became highly valued for their ability to hunt and kill undesirable rodents like mice, snakes and rats. By 1500 B.C. cats were considered sacred by the Egyptians and anyone who killed a cat would be put to death. Cats were so idolized that in times of catastrophe they would be rescued before humans. “The cat goddess Bastet (also known as Bast or Pasht) became one of the most revered figures of worship. She had the body of a woman and the head of a cat.”

During the Middle Ages wide spread hysteria of devil worshipping witches and warlocks filled the streets of Europe. Cats were now seen as harbingers of evil, who possessed the power of black magic. They were thought to be witches in disguise. For this reason hundreds of thousands of cats were killed. Black cats were hunted close to extinction.

Genocide of this scale would eventually upset the natural balance of the rodent population, thus, greatly contributing to the spread of the “Black Plague” which was spread to people by flea infested rats. One-fourth of the European population died from this disease. Quickly Europeans realized the cats’ importance in controlling the rodent population and they eventually regained their popularity.

Cats are no longer revered as Gods or feared as demons. They have found a comfortable spot right in the middle as America’s most popular pet!

Happy Puzzling!

Vermont

Hi Puzzlers,

Over the holidays I noticed a trend. I had either given or received a gift that came from Vermont. Now, how cool is that? I live in New England and absolutely love that state! Have you ever been to the Vermont? If you haven’t and are planning a trip to New England I would highly recommend visiting this gorgeous place. In addition to all its natural beauty, it is the second least populated state in the union. Ah let’s see, beautiful location, check; getting away from it all; check, getting away from people; check. Oh, come on, you know sometimes you just want to get away from all the hustle and bustle of a big city and go to a place that is less hectic and more relaxed. Vermont is this place!

Vermont’s first inhabitants were the Abenaki and Iroquios Indians. During colonial times Vermont was governed by France. Many believe it is the French who gave Vermont its name. The French would say les Verts Monts, which means "the Green Mountains ". After the French and Indian war of 1763Great Britain took over control, but the state remained plagued by territorial disputes with New Hampshire and New York. During this time Vermont was called the New Hampshire Grants, but thanks to the Green Mountain Boys militia, the independent sovereign state of the Vermont Republic was founded in 1777. While independent, Vermont abolished slavery, and in 1791 joined the United States, it was the 14th state to do so.

Did you know that Vermont is the leading producer of maple syrup in the United States and it was the first state to establish a mandatory maple law? This law established purity and quality regulations. Vermont maple syrup100% pure & natural! Yum! Also, be sure to visit a sugar house so you can see for yourself how maple syrup is made and so you can pick up a few tasty treats.

Ah…what could be cozier then relaxing in front of a blazing fire in your flannel pajamas? That brings me to my next great Vermont product, flannel. I came across Vermont Flannel at the Big E in Springfield, Massachusetts. They have an outstanding product! High quality flannels made here in the USA! My daughter loves them so much she makes me promise to wash and dry them immediately so she continue to live in them! Note, buy several extra pairs to avoid this dilemma!
So, flannel and maple syrup aren’t your thing? How about the cheese? Not just any cheese, award winning Cabot Cheese. When they say the “World’s Best Cheddar”, that is no exaggeration! This wonderful creamery is a farm cooperative locate in Cabot, hence the name, Vermont. When you go, take the cheese tour. I happened across my first tour while camping in the 80’s. Let’s just say it wasn’t my first choice of “cool” things to do, but, once the tour got going I was hooked. Yup! I’m a Vermont cheese head! Relaxing in my flannels, shkoffing down pancakes with tons of maple syrup, far away from all the hustle and bustle of the city!

Happy Puzzling!

Flags of the World

Hi Puzzlers,

As I made my way to work today I kept noticing flags. Flags at the post office, flags flying high on the school flagpole, our company's “open” flag hanging in front of our store entrance. Once inside the office building I made my way to my desk only to find our Flags of the World puzzle had been left there. I began to wonder what was in my morning coffee? Why all the flags? Are the powers that be inspiring me to do a post on flags? All this nudging has certainly peaked my flag interest. How about you?

For over 4000 years people from all corners of the globe have been using flags. They are even study scientifically. Vexillology is the scientific term; it comes from the Latin word vexilloid which means, “guide”. Ancient vexilloid were made of wood or metal polls with carvings on top. Two thousand years later people started adding fabric and decorative metal to the tops. These ancient vexilloids closely resemble the flags of today.

Flags are generally used to give others information. Medieval Knights dressed head to toe in armor would use flags to identify themselves; this enabled fellow soldiers to see if they were friend or foe on the battlefield. Every country in the world has a flag and as the governments change so do the flags.

Designing a flag is no easy task. The message and information has to be understood without using many pictures or any words. Each flag color has a special meaning: Red - danger, revolution, bloodshed of war, courage, power: White - peace, surrender, truce: Orange - courage, sacrifice: Green - safety, land, youth, hope: Yellow - caution, gold: Black - mourning, death.

Also, there are five basic principles of flag design: 1) Keep it simple - so simple that it can be drawn from memory: 2) Meaningful Symbolism - colors, images, or patterns need to relate to flags symbology: 3) Basic Colors - Limit the number on the flag to three contrasting colors: 4) No Lettering or Seals: 5) Be Distinctive.

“Today the American flag consists of thirteen horizontal stripes, seven red alternating with 6 white. The stripes represent the original 13 colonies; the stars represent the 50 states of the Union. The colors of the flag are symbolic as well: Red symbolizes Hardiness and Valor, White symbolizes Purity and Innocence and Blue represents Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice.”

I think what I have learned most in my quick study of Vexillology is to make every little thing I do or say count and mean something…just like a flag.

Happy Puzzling!

Administrative Professionals Day

Hi Puzzlers,

Today is Administrative Professionals Day! It is not a public holiday but it is the most celebrated workplace event, second only to major holidays and employee birthdays. Actually Administrative Professionals Day is part of a weeklong celebration to recognize the efforts and contributions our administration staff makes to the day-to-day operations of companies.

As a result of World War II, the need for skilled administrative personnel increased, especially in the United States and the National Secretaries Association (NSA) was formed to attract new people to these types of careers. Mary Barrett, president of NSA and C. King Woodbridge, president of Dictaphone Corporation (both serving on a committee assigned to address theses shortages) along with the efforts of Harry F Klemfuss, a New York Publicist, came up with the idea of National Secretaries Week.

“The first National Secretaries Week was held the week of June 1-7, 1952 in conjunction with the United States Department of Commerce and various office supply and equipment manufacturers. The Wednesday of that week became known as National Secretaries Day.”

“As the organization gained international recognition, the events became known as Professional Secretaries Week® and Professional Secretaries Day®. In 2000, IAAP (formerly known as the NSA) announced that the names of the week and the day would be changing to Administrative Professionals Week and Administrative Professionals Day to keep pace with changing job titles and expanding responsibilities of the modern administrative workforce. Many work environments across the world observe this event.”

So lets’ give a big round of applause and a word of thanks to all the wonderful people who keep our offices coordinated and running.

Happy Puzzling!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Hi Puzzlers,

I have to say that I have had my fill of winter! The shoveling, sanding and salting are back breaking duties that have to be done for what feels like an eternity. Yes, I know I am being a bit dramatic, but after six months of snow I am ready to bury my snow blower and shovels. And let's not forget about the roof rake-you know that handy little item with a ten foot handle designed to “easily” remove snow from your roof. Ha! Let me tell you there's nothing easy about it!

In an effort to sway or ease my impatience, Jill at the office mentioned how important the snow is at this time of year. Apparently, snow in the spring is loaded with nitrogen and has been called "poor man's fertilizer." I think if I had a garden that informative tidbit would have had a better effect, but I am ready for the April showers that bring May flowers! Well, impatience doesn’t pay and Mother Nature must have had it out for me and my continued whining, because on April 1st, yes April Fool’s Day, she blasted us with six inches of snow!

In a manic frenzy, not knowing what else to do, I continued to sing "April showers bring May flowers." After repeating this for several days I began to wonder where this rhyme came from. Clearly the author must have felt desperate too. It turns out a man by the name of “Thomas Tusser compiled a collection of writing he called A Hundred Good Points of Husbandry.”

In the April section is where you will find “ Sweet April Showers, Do spring May flowers,” it was a poem. Wow, what a man, I thought. He wrote a book on being a good husband, uncommon for the times (1557). Jill at this point is rolling on the floor laughing hysterically and I am completely baffled. What is she laughing at? To my embarrassment, husbandry is the act or practice of cultivating crops and breeding and raising livestock, NOT being a good husband.

Okay-lesson learned. Good things come to those who wait. But I think some puzzling distraction will make the waiting easier to accept. So, if you are like me you might want to practice patience by distraction too.

Happy Puzzling!

Need to Know Everything

Hi Puzzlers,

It still amazes me how educational puzzles are. I always relate a puzzle with fun, relaxation and bonding time with my daughter. The educational aspect of puzzling rarely enters my mind except when I am asked a question such as, “What are the State Bird and Flower of Hawaii?” Yeah, I know-a strange question from a 13 year old, but Hawaii is her “have to go” spot. And, showing her friends her Mom does NOT know everything is fun for a 13 year old!

Now, I could have looked it up instantly on the Internet but remembered I had the State Bird & Flowers puzzle in the trunk of my car. I always keep a few puzzles in my trunk, along with catalogs, for people I meet who don’t know about our puzzles.

I ran out to the car, got the puzzle and came back in announcing loudly “The state bird of Hawaii is the Hawaiian Goose and the state flower is the Yellow Hibiscus. See-I do KNOW EVERYTHING!” Much laughter ensued and we all began looking at the puzzle. The girls then proceeded to quiz each other to see who could remember the most. All I could remember was that New Hampshire’s State flower is the Lilac.

Soon popcorn was popping, ice teas were in hand and the puzzle pieces were being sorted. Each girl picked a state and tried to find the pieces for that state. Once they got it done they loudly announced in a mimicking voice, “The state bird for Montana is the Western Meadowlark and the state flower is the Bitterroot! See I KNOW EVERYTHING!” It always got a laugh.

Ahh! What a fun educational night!

Happy Puzzling!

P.S. Now I make sure I have puzzles like Trees of North America or State Flags & Capitols on hand just in case I need to know EVERYTHING!

Internet Shopping Safety Tips

Hi Puzzlers,

“Black Friday” officially started the Christmas and Holiday shopping season and “Cyber Monday” unofficially kicked off the beginning of the online Holiday shopping season. For many this can be a very stressful time and ordering online can be scary. In an effort to assist our puzzlers, we have researched the best safety tips the Internet has to offer. We were pleased to find lots articles of advice on “How to Holiday Shop Online Safely”. Below is a list of the most popular tips.

1. Protect your PC- Make sure your personal computer has recent updates installed for Spam filters, anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and a secure firewall.

2. Trusted Websites – Shoppers should know whom they are dealing with. Confirm the online seller’s physical address and phone number. Anyone can set up an online store under any name. Do not respond to the pop-up asking for personal or financial information. Real companies would not ask for this type of information via emails and pop-ups (phising). Check for security seals, such as a lock icon and the http (URL) has an “s” in it. The https:// stands for secure.

3. Pay by credit or charge card - By using a credit or charge card you are protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act. This law gives you the right to dispute charges and temporarily withhold payment while the credit card company investigates your claims. Never use your debit card, as you have no rights protecting you from fraud or theft.

4. Refund Policies and Delivery Dates – Make sure you know if you can return the item for a full refund and who pays the shipping for the return. Is the refund for a store credit or cash refund? Know when you should expect delivery of your item.

5. Print & Save – Keep documentation of your order. If confirmation was sent by email, keep the email and save any and all correspondence with the retailer.

6. Wear comfortable slippers, get a comfortable chair and pour a nice cup of tea, you could be at your computer for hours!


Puzzler we would love to hear about your great shopping tips.

Happy Puzzling!